Temporary roadblock for planned power plant

SAN DIEGO (CNS) - A gas-fired power plant planned near the Sycamore Landfill ran into at least a temporary roadblock Thursday when the San Diego Planning Commission denied an application to have staff fully study rezoning the area.

The application to initiate a review of the East Elliott Community Plan by Charlotte, N.C.-based Cogentrix led to strong opposition from residents of Santee, which is adjacent to the proposed 22-acre property.

The Planning Commission voted 4-1 to deny the application, but Cogentrix can file an appeal to the City Council.

A state panel, the California Energy Commission, also has jurisdiction over the Quail Brush Generation Project, which calls for a 100-megawatt plant that would be put to use during periods of high demand on the energy grid.

Opponents claim it would be incompatible with the surrounding area, which includes homes, West Hills High School and Mission Trails Regional Park.

The commissioners listened to more than four hours of testimony at a public hearing on the plant three weeks ago, but not enough members of the panel were present to reach the four votes necessary to approve or deny the proposal.

Commissioner Mary Lydon, who missed the first meeting, said she watched a recording of the public testimony and ended up voting against the project.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Facing assured defeat, Republican leaders decided Tuesday not to even hold a vote on the GOP's latest attempt to repeal the Obama health care law, surrendering on their last-gasp effort to deliver on the party's banner campaign promise. Leaving a lunch of Republican senators who'd gathered to discuss their next steps on the issue, Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and other leaders decided that "the votes are no...

WASHINGTON (AP) — Facing assured defeat, Republican leaders decided Tuesday not to even hold a vote on the GOP's latest attempt to repeal the Obama health care law, surrendering on their last-gasp effort to deliver on the party's banner campaign promise. Leaving a lunch of Republican senators who'd gathered to discuss their next steps on the issue, Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and other leaders decided that "the votes are no...

Four college basketball coaches were among those facing federal charges Tuesday in a wide probe of fraud and corruption in the NCAA, including former SDSU assistant coach Tony Bland now of the University of Southern California.

Four college basketball coaches were among those facing federal charges Tuesday in a wide probe of fraud and corruption in the NCAA, including former SDSU assistant coach Tony Bland now of the University of Southern California.

Firefighters working in steep canyons Tuesday got help from retardant-dropping aircraft flying around-the-clock as they saved homes from a smoky blaze that surged through suburban canyons in Southern California and sent hundreds scrambling for safety.

Firefighters working in steep canyons Tuesday got help from retardant-dropping aircraft flying around-the-clock as they saved homes from a smoky blaze that surged through suburban canyons in Southern California and sent hundreds scrambling for safety.

A 29-year-old man was stabbed to death at a City Heights homeless encampment and a woman was hospitalized Tuesday with a stab wound from the same attack as police searched for the assailant, authorities said.

A 29-year-old man was stabbed to death at a City Heights homeless encampment and a woman was hospitalized Tuesday with a stab wound from the same attack as police searched for the assailant, authorities said.